“Wen Yu Xi, promise me you'll return safely.”
Wen Yu Xi nodded, “You know my capabilities. I'll be back.”
Xue Zi Ning nodded.
He suddenly released her and strode towards the door.
“Wen Yu Xi, I only want you to come back alive…”
His figure stiffened, and after a moment, he left.
Outside the door, Wen Nuan looked at the dejected Wen Yu Xi and couldn't help but ask, “Can’t bear to leave?”
Wen Yu Xi looked up at her and smiled, “What if I can’t bear to? She's not mine in the end.”
Wen Nuan smiled, “So the Pavilion Master also has moments of such lack of confidence.”
“I have many moments of lack of confidence,” Wen Yu Xi sighed.
Wen Nuan was stunned, and through Wen Yu Xi's eyes, she looked into the distance, pointing directly at Chang Ning Palace.
“Pavilion Master, your only failure is probably with the Empress.”
Wen Yu Xi gave a bitter smile, “That is the failure of my life.”
“Pavilion Master…”
“Let's go!” Wen Yu Xi left without looking back.
Wen Nuan watched his slightly weary figure and quickly followed.
When Li Si Nian woke up, he looked at the unfamiliar surroundings and called out, “Mo Shu.”
“My Lord, you're awake?” Li Si Nian was startled and turned to see Suo Xin lying shyly beside him.
Last night’s memories flooded back.
Seeing Li Si Nian remain silent, Suo Xin’s heart pounded. Recalling the young lady’s instructions, her eyes immediately turned red. She quickly got up and knelt on the bed, “It is all this servant’s fault. I beg your Lordship to forgive me.”
Suo Xin was only wearing a bodice, her fair skin exposed. Li Si Nian felt a surge of blood, and the scenes from last night resurfaced.
He turned his face away. Once he had calmed down, he said, “Since I have taken you, I will not shirk my responsibility. From today onwards, you are no longer Ya’er’s maid. You shall be elevated to the rank of concubine!”
Suo Xin hadn't expected to be elevated to concubine so quickly and was a little surprised. Li Si Nian looked at the stunned Suo Xin and couldn't help but laugh, “Don’t you want to?”
Suo Xin quickly shook her head, tears streaming down her face, “This servant… this servant just feels it’s a bit unreal and can’t believe it.”
Compared to the gentle and reserved Madam, Suo Xin was as gentle as flowing water. Compared to Concubine Liu’s arrogant charm, Suo Xin was youthfully lovable.
Li Si Nian stepped forward and placed his hand on Suo Xin’s shoulder, saying, “As long as you behave yourself, what belongs to you will be yours.”
Suo Xin trembled all over and quickly lowered her head, “My Lord, this servant will definitely behave herself.”
“I have to go to court. All matters will be arranged for you by Madam or Ya’er,” Li Si Nian said as he got up.
Suo Xin hurried forward to help him dress.
After getting dressed, Li Si Nian touched Suo Xin’s hand and said, “You were tired last night, so go back to sleep.”
Hearing this, Suo Xin quickly shook her head, “This servant dares not!”
Li Si Nian couldn't help but smile at Suo Xin’s nervous demeanor, “What 'this servant'? What should you call yourself now?”
Suo Xin finally realized that she was now the Lord’s concubine. She bowed and said, “This concubine understands.”
“I will come back tonight,” Li Si Nian said, then turned and left.
Suo Xin did not heed Li Si Nian’s words to sleep in, but instead, dressed herself and went out.
Li Yao Qin returned to her room leisurely at noon. Just as she was about to call for Suo Xin, she remembered that she had already given Suo Xin to her father.
“Lian Xin, pour tea.” She sat in a chair, and a cup of tea was handed to her.
She quickly took a sip. It was neither too hot nor too cold. In the past, only Suo Xin could do it so well. She looked up and asked, “Lian Xin, you’ve become thoughtful too?”
When she saw the person standing before her, she was stunned, “Suo Xin? How can it be you?”
Suo Xin knelt on the ground and said, “No matter what position this servant holds, she will always be the young lady’s Suo Xin.”
Li Yao Qin helped Suo Xin up and said, “Suo Xin, Father has already taken you as a concubine. You don’t need to kneel to me anymore.”
Suo Xin shook her head, “Suo Xin will never forget the kindness of Madam and Miss. Suo Xin will always be Madam and Miss’s servant.”
Hearing this, Li Yao Qin sighed, “Suo Xin, I understand your heart. I am very happy. However, your task now is to prevent Father from going to Concubine Liu’s chambers.”
Suo Xin bit her lower lip, “This servant will try her best.”
“You can do it,” Li Yao Qin placed her hand on Suo Xin’s shoulder.
Concubine Liu in Willow Pavilion heard that Suo Xin had been taken as a concubine by Li Si Nian overnight. How could she be reconciled?
She was so angry she could have burst.
Ping’er, standing beside her, trembled as she watched Concubine Liu. She had no thoughts of her own now, only hoping that this Concubine Liu would cause more trouble, preferably offending the Lord, so she wouldn't have to serve her anymore.
“You must think of a way. I want to see the Lord tonight,” Concubine Liu said, looking at Ping’er.
Ping’er was startled, “Before, whenever Concubine was ill, the Lord would come.”
“You are right. Then I will pretend to be sick. You go wait at the entrance. When the Lord returns, invite him over.”
Ping’er could only leave the room and stand shivering in the autumn wind. Due to the cold, she could only hide for a while and then come out again, so she didn't manage to wait for Li Si Nian to return home.
Li Si Nian stayed in Suo Xin’s chambers for three consecutive nights, making Concubine Liu furious and prone to scolding and hitting her servants.
Li Yao Qin heard the news gathered by Lian Xin and was very pleased. This was her doing.
The next day, Li Yao Qin encountered Concubine Liu by the rockery in the mansion, who was preparing to “accidentally” meet Li Si Nian there.
“Concubine Liu, how have you been lately?”
Before Concubine Liu could speak, Li Yao Qin said with a smile, “I see that Concubine Liu’s complexion isn't good. Is it because Father hasn’t visited Willow Pavilion for several days?”
Hearing Li Yao Qin’s sarcastic words, Concubine Liu smiled, “Eldest Miss, although I, Liu Shi, am a bit arrogant, I have no disloyalty to the Prime Minister’s mansion. Eldest Miss should not lift a rock only to drop it on her own feet.”
“What do you mean? Are you angry because Father isn’t coming to Concubine Liu’s chambers, and you’re in a fit of pique?” Li Yao Qin said sarcastically.
Concubine Liu sneered, “The Lord has not only come to my humble abode these few days. I can wait.”
“Is that so? If you can wait, you wouldn’t be standing here suffering from the cold. Is it really that hard for Concubine Liu to tell the truth?”
Concubine Liu bit her lower lip, “I came to enjoy the scenery.”
“Enjoying the rockery?” Li Yao Qin smiled dismissively.
Concubine Liu snorted and turned to leave.
Li Yao Qin’s expression also turned serious, “Lian Xin, for how many days has Father been staying in Suo Xin’s chambers?”
Lian Xin said, “It has been three days.”
Li Yao Qin sighed, “It’s been a bit too long.”
Lian Xin said nothing further.
Li Yao Qin said, “Tell me as soon as Father returns home.”
When Li Si Nian returned home, he saw Li Yao Qin in the courtyard and couldn't help but ask, “Yao’er, what are you doing here?”
“I am waiting for Father,” Li Yao Qin said.